Means and apparatus for centrifugal concentration and separation of mixed minerals, metals, etc.



Feb:

MEANS Original Filed 1922 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

9 25 4a 2 351 349 45 45 3 4 2 52 a 1 5/ 6 32 26 I -55 40 l g: A 39 /2 42434% k 5;

5 I I I 1 E mm HI I I Feb. 17, 1925. v 1,527,076

W. H. PECK MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR GENTRIFUGAL CONCENTRATION ANDSEPARATION OF HIXED MINERALS, METALS, ETC

Original Filed March 2, 1922 2 Sheets-Shea: 2

:6. A I zz zzo F49? 35 A a w Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcl-z.

WII'JBUR H. PECK, OF I-OS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MEANS AND APPARATUS I03GENTRIIUGAL CONCENTRATION AND SEPARATION OF MIXED MINERALS, METALS, ETC.

Application filed March 2, 1922, Serial No. 540,463. Renewed December 8,1934.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUR H. Pacx, of Los Angeles, California, havinginvented certain new and useful improvements 1n means and apparatus forcentrifugal concentration and separation. of mixed minerals, metals,"andmetal-bearing mixtures while in a fused state, and my invention consistsmainly in the means and apparatus embodying the association andcooperation of parts to effectuate such separation, as herein describedand claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, 'in which- Fig.1 is mainly a central vertical cross section of my se arator.

Fig. 2 is most y a central transverse plan section of the rotating partsof my separator, shown in Fig. 1, looking downward,

most clearly illustrating the two separatin vessels in section, but withthe central fee device illustrated in top plan.

Fig. 3 is mostly a central transverse vertical section of the rotor ofmy separator, with some of the members of the same shown somewhatrelatively moved apart.

Fig. 4 is an outside elevation of an enlarged fragmentary part of theperipheral ring of the rotor, showing the outer ends of water channelsand opening throu h which material passes as discharged om the vessel.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal horizontal section of the feed deviceof my separator.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of Fig. 5 on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a cross section of one of the separating vessels, shown partlywithdrawn from the reinforcing casing.

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal section of a fragmentary part of thereinforcing casing, illustrating the inside ribbed or corrugated. form.

Fig. 9 is a top .plan of one of the separatin vessels inserted in itsreinforcing casing.

ig. 10 is a transverse section of on line 1010, of Fig. 9 lookingdirection of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a cross section of Fig. 9 on line in the Fig. 9 7

11-11 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In making my centrifugal fused ore separator, I provide means forsubjecting such fused ore or materials to the action of contrifugalforce of suflicient intensity to-efi'ect separation of the fused mixtureinto its constituent parts to the extent sought, and accomplish thedesired objects while the material is being carried around in rotationand at the same time is also bein flowed in a circumferential directionin t e path of rotation, preferably in a forward or advanced directionwith respect to such rotation, and to this end:

I provide a suitable shaft 2 for sup orting and rotating the desiredpart 0. the separator. This shaft is maintained laterally at its unnerend portion by a journal box 3, and at its lower portion by the box 4.It is also suitably lower end in the lower part 0 the box 4, to supportand carry the weight of the shaft and its burden.

The box 4 is flexibly supported by a'base plate 5 through an interposedflexible member 6, illustrated in Fig. 1, as a rubber cushion, to permitgyratory movement of the box and shaft, if that should occur duringoperation.

The box 3 is also flexibly supported by a frame part 7, through means ofan interposed yieldable member, as a rubber cushion 8, so the shaft atits upper end may gyrate or vibrate to compensate for any unevenness, ifany there may be, in the distribution of the materials fed to theseparating vessel. The rubber 8, is clam ed under tlie ring plate 9,which helps to old it in p ace.

The frame is mounted at its lower portion on the base of the machine, asillustrated in Fig. 1, and the shaft is provided with a pulley 10,through which rotation may be imparted by a be t from any desired sourceof supply of power.

Mounted on the upper end of the shaft through means of an attached hubportion 11, is a; disc member 12 preferably comprised of two plates,having one or more stefpped at its 1 Waterchannels 13 between them,radiating from near the central portion of the disc. Near the axis andsecured to the lower side of the disc is provided a suitably shaped ring14 adapted to form'an annular channel 15, suitable to receive water froma water delivery pipe. 16, and to divert the same through openings 17into the channel 13, between the plates forming the disc, so the waterwill pass out through the channels and serve to cool the disc duringoperation. Around the circumferential portion of the disc, which servesas a supporting member, is located a rin 18, as illustrated in thedrawings, of desired width, which is carried around the circumferentialportion of the disc, and extends upward a sufiicient distance to receivebelow its upper edge, separating vessels 19, when the same are in placeon the disc, as especially illustrated in Fig. 1. The ring is intendedto be of sufiicient strength to sup ort the vessels'against the actionof centri ugal force during operation, and adapted to otherwise assistin holding them to place.

' The vessels, which may also be termed containers are preferablysegmental, and rectangular in form as best shown in Figs. 1 and 9,thereby predetermining and limiting the arc in which the fused materialsmay flow during treatment and are intended to be of peripheral contourto rest and contact against the inner circumference of the ring 18, whenthey are in operating position, extending circumferentially lengthwaysin the are or path of rotation.

There are preferably two or more of the separating vessels employed,which together with their supporting parts and the feed device 32,largely'make up the rotor'of the separator. They are intended to be ofas nearly uniform size, weight and containing capacity as practicable inorder to as nearly as may be, form a balanced condition of the rotorduring operation; They are intended to be of sufiicient thiclmess andstrength to serve the purposes for which they are designed, and ofheight, as above stated, to correspond with the' height or width of thring, when the latter is in position. Y

At the ends of the separating vessel, there are dischar e passages 21and 22 respectively, for ischarge of the fused material. These passagesare formed by cutting out or suitably owering a portion of the end wallof the vessel, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 9, 10 and 11; the passage21'approaching to a position nearer the bottom of the ve..- -sel thanthe passage 22, it being intended for discharge of the metals orseparated heavier materials, while the passage 22 is intended for theoutflow of the relatively lighter portions of the separated materials.

The passage 21 for discharge of the sep- 'arated heavier materials isintended to be located at the "end of the vessel which follows in thdirection of rotation, while the passage for the relatively lightermaterial leads in rotation. These positions are illustrated in Fig. 2,the separator being adapted to revolve clockwise.

There are passages 23 and 24, formed at the ends of the vessel,communicating with the separate overflow or discharge passages 21 and22', which are adapted to receive the fused materials as it flows fromthe vessels, and divert the same through the ports 25 and 26, inthe'ring 18, and into appropriate compartments 27 and 28, of a housing29.

The separating vessels are each provided with a cross bafile 30, whichare located nearest the end from which it is intended to discharge theheavier material. These bafiles or cross-partitions extend somewhatabove the surface of the fused material in the vessel while inoperation, and serve to deflect th surface portion and separatedrelatively lighter constituents of the fused mixture forward in the pathof rotation towards the discharge passa e 22, in the leading portion ofthe vesse but do not extend to the bottom of the'vessel or con tainer,leaving a passage 31 under their lower edges; as illustrated in Fig. 2,which passages are positioned beneath the surface or normal level of thefused mixture in the container during operation, and serve as passagesthrough which the separated heavier or lower strata of material may flowbackward with relation to rotating movement and surface flow of'lighterconstituents, to discharge through the passages relatively oppositedirections within the limits of the are predetermined by the structureof thecontainer, and for the separate and simultaneous discharge of suchportions of the material bein treated.

As means for suppl in fused material to the separating vesse s, providea feed member '32, located axially between them. This feed memberembodies a central part with a chamber. 33, and also has two extendedhollow arms 34, of suitable length and size to terminate in osition todeliver fused material passin t rough them to a position near the ba e,and at the side of the bafiie towards the end of the vessel where it isintended to discharge the lighter portion 36, preferably made along andintegral with the arms34, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, and theseparts 36 are also rovided with passages 37, as. shown, for the ow ofwater for cooling the feed member 32.

The coolingpassages 37 connect with a feed water chamber 38 surroundingthe feed chamber 33, and there is a'pipe 39, Figs. 1 and 2, by whichwater may be supplied to the chamber 37. The parts 36 are provided feedmember properly to place, as does also a central lower extended gudgeon42, which seats in the central chamber of a member 43, attached to thedisc 12 as illustrated.

In Fig. 1 fused material 44 is illustrated as being introduced into thefeed chamber 33, for delivery through the passages 35, in-

to the separating vessels, and at such timeswater flowed through thechannels37, will prevent the feed member from becoming greatlyoverheated.

The separatlng vessels are provided with suitable covers 45, which havean 'appropriately located openin 46, through which the material isdelivere into the vessels. The cover is intended to be easily removablewhen the vessels are taken out of the rotor.

To serve as a reinforcing member to the separating vessel there isprovided a casing 47, which is of internal contour and size to closelyreceive the vessel, serving to strengthen the vessel, and also throughits internal corrugation, when in place on the vessel, forms air spaces48, which reduces heat radiation from the vessel.

As means for assisting to hold the separating vessels inplace and tocover the same to afford a more symmetrical outer surface to the rotor,I provide a disc or ring plate 49, seated on the-upper edge of the ring18, as shown in place in Fig. 1 of the drawlngs.

' This plate has a suitable size central opening through which accessmay be had, and to enable introduction of materials for separation. Theplate is held securely and removably to place by bolts 50.

Surrounding the rotor of the separator to collect material dischargedfrom the sepa rating vessels, and water used in connection with thesame, as above stated, I provide a suitable housing 29 having aninclined bottom and two annular compartments .27 and 28, into which theseparated materials are discharged.

These compartments are provided at their tops with covers 51. and 52,and there is located in them water s raypipes 53 and 54 for spraying andcoo mg the material as it enters t e compartments passing through theparts 25 and 26, which deliver the respective lighter and heaviermaterials in their appropriate compartments, to enable the same with thewater to pass out through the discharge'openings 55 and 56.

The housing--may be held in place by a bracket 57 or by any desiredsuitable means.

In operation, fused materials such as mixed metals or mineral bearingores, matter'orother metal or mineral bearing compounds which areamenable to separation or concentration by centrifugal force, are flowedinto the central feed chamber '33, while-the rotor is being operated ata desired speed, and is delivered by the feed member into'the separatingvessels, as illustrated, in position near the baffles 30,-on the side ofthe baffles towards the discl'iarge passage for the lighter material.The distance from the baflle to this dischar e passage is intended to bemuch greater than the distance to the discharge for the heaviermaterial, as the greater distance .is desired through which to flow thematerial to enable better separation.

The baflies serve as means to divert the surface flow of the fusedmaterial being fed into the vessel, in direction towards the end of thevessel for the discharge of the relatively lighter parts, preventingsuch flow to pass towards the opposite end. It is intended that thisdirection of flow shall be with or in direction of rotation, and thatthe material is therefore not only carried around in rotation in theseparating vessel, but at the same time the surface a, portion of thematerial in the end compartment where it is fed in, is flowing againstsuch rotation to the discharge passage in the forward end of the vessel,while the heavier parts or constituents of the fused mass which areseparated, are pre cipitated towards the bottom of the vessel radially,from the axis, where it accumulates in sufficient body to pass under thebafile in the vessel and flow to discharge at the back or followin endof the vessel through the passage w ich is cut down, or approachesnearer the bottom of the vessel - What I regard its new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a centrifu al separator adapted totreatment of fused material having metal bearing constituents, thecombination of a container adapted to rotate'said material while in astate of fusion, means for feeding fused material to the container,means within the container for diverting the flow of the surface andbottom portions of the fused material in the container in relativelyopposite directions along the path of rotation of the container while searation is being effected, and means for ischargin separately from thecontainer separated heavier and lighter constituentsof said material,substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused materialhaving metal hearing constituents, the combination of a containeradapted to rotate said material while in a fused state in structureforming an arc of predetermined extent and having a discharge passagefor relatively lighter of said constituents in its portion leading inrotation, and a discharge passage for relatively heavier constituents ofsaid mixture positioned following the above stated passage, meanswithinthe container for diverting the surfacesportion of the fusedmaterial forward in direction of rotation towards said leadin within thelimits of tie arc predetermined by the structure of said container,means through instrumentality of the structure of the container anddischarge t; for separately and simultaneously disc arging from thecontainer separated relatively heavier and lighter constituents of .saidmaterial and means for feeding fused material to the container,substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused materialembodying metal bearing constituents, the combination of a container adated to rotate said material, means for fee ing/the fused marial intosuch vessel, :means terial into the container, means for effecting theflow ofthe surface and under rtions of the fused material in thecontainer in relatively opposite directions along the path of rotationof the container, means for separately dischar 'ng separated fusedrelatively heavier an lighter constituents of the material and means forsup orting and rotating the container, substantially as described. i

4. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused materialembodying metal bearing constituents, the combination of a rotatableelongated, segmental separating vessel, means for feedin fusedmatesurface flow of fused material in the vesse in direction of rotationof'said v, means discharge passage or diverting constituents 0 reatively di erent specific weights'from the vessel, and means forsupporting and rotating the vessel substantially as described.

5. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused mineralbearin mixtures, the combination of a rotatab e container inlongitudinal structure formin an arc of predetermined extent, ada te tocarry such mixture in rotation while in a state of fusion, saidcontainer provided with a discharge pasage for the surface part of saidfused material positioned in the portion thereof leading in direction ofrotation, and with a discharge assage for relatively heavier material ine portion of said container following in rotation a partition in thecontainer positioned tween. said respective discharge passages, having achannel beneath the normal surface, of the fused material during operation for flow of relatively heavier material, whereby the surfaceportion of said material is diverted forward in direction of rotationduring separation within limitsof the arc predetermined b the structureof said container, and the ottom rtion of the fused material is flowedrelatively backward in the path of rotation, means embodymg said fordischarge separate y of relative] eavier and lighter constituents of theused material, means for feeding fused material into the containerbetween said partition and the discharge passage leadin in rotation andmeans for supporting an rotating the container, substautially asdescribed.

6. In a centrifu l separator adapted to treatment of mineral bearinmixtures, the combination of a rotatab e container adapted to carrysuchmixtures in rotation w ile in a state of fusion and in structureforming an arc of predetermined extent. for centrifugally efiectiseparation of relatively heavier and lig ter constituents of saidmixture, said container provided with a passage positioned in itsportion leadin in rotation, for dischar of relatively 'ghterconstituents of sand mixture, and a passage for discharge of relativelyheavier constituents of said mixture in its portion following inrotation, and means constituted by the structure of said container withsaid discharge pass and a diverting baflle positioned within t 0container, for efl'ectmg simultaneous flow of heavier and lighterconstituents of said mixture in the container in relatively o ositedirections in the path of rotation wit 1n the limits of said arepredetermined by the structure of the container, and for se aratelydischar ing said separated constituents, substantia y as described.

7. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused metalbearing mixture, the combination of multiple segmental vessels havingseparate discharge passages for separated relatively heavier and lighterconstituents of said mixture, means adapted to feed the fused mixture tothe vessels, means for supporting and rotating the vessels, a rotatablering adapted to support the vessels against centrifugal stress, meansfor dis charging from the vessels separately separated relativelyheavier and lighter constituents of said mixture, and means for catchingseparately said heavier and lighter constituents as discharged from thevessels 15 substantially as described.

'8. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused metalbearing mixtures, the combination of multiple segmental rotatablevessels having separate discharge means for the separated relativelyheavier 2 mechanism, a ring peripherally encirclin 2 said vesselsadapted to maintain the vessel against centrifugal stress, and means forreceiving separately said separated relative- 1y heavier and lighterconstituents as discharged from the same substantially as de- 30scribed.

WILBUR H. PECK.

